In the same way our everyday conversations and arguments have fundamentally changed with the rise of social media, it is transforming the government’s relationship to the press.
And it seems Florida is the guinea pig for the coming revolution.
For years, politicians’ communication specialists have called newspaper offices over points of contention in an article.
They’ve aired their grievances over phone or email for so long that it has become tradition.
The times are changing, and the fight is moving to Twitter — at least judging by the actions of Communications Director Brian Burgess, part of Gov. Rick Scott’s posse.
Via Twitter, we’re able to witness what used to go on out of public view and watch how the news media actually relate to our dear governor when the cameras are turned off.
Perhaps Floridians needed to see the volleys of pointed questions met with snarky answers to truly understand this strangely symbiotic relationship.
As each side questions and clarifies in 140 characters or fewer, we are left wondering if the public forum allows them to make government more transparent or if both sides are choosing their words more carefully knowing anyone could be watching.
Judging from the political tweets we’ve seen and our own social media usage, both statements are probably true.
While this future holds some merit by letting anyone with an Internet connection in on the current political discussion, it also lends itself to sensationalizing the topics at hand.
It’s understood that people in the government and the media don’t see eye to eye all the time — we speak from experience — and watching this battle of wills could drive people to take sides.
When Burgess argues over a number given in a speech with a member of the press, we have to wonder if the majority of people reading his tweet really want a clarification or if they want a digital shouting match between the two sides.
Either result shows us more of the inner machinations of our leaders, but only one benefits society beyond a temporary sense of amusement.
It’s our understanding that mere quibbling gets us nowhere, so how could it be seen as a breakthrough when the powerful forces of our society are doing just that in front of us?
We’d argue it’s for the better that we see it and stay informed.
We know that these types of showdowns have to happen anyway, but the way our government operates its public relations shouldn’t be kept out of sight and out of mind.
Although people may not want to see a respected member of a political team squabbling with a well-known member of the press, it may be the way of the future.
Scott’s team may be the first to utilize such belligerent tactics, but we don’t foresee it being the last.
